Sevilla beat cursed Benfica on penalties in Europa League final

The party begins in Turin as Sevilla celebrate winning their first European title since 2007 and the third in the club's history.

Sevilla forward Carlos Bacca is a livewire for the Spanish side in the Europa League final but he can only watch as several chances sail past.

No stranger to a piece of silverware, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) enjoys a night out with Juventus manager Antonio Conte at the first European football final of the season.

Ezequiel Garay (left) is just one Benfica player left ruing missed chances in the first 90 minutes of the Europa League final at the Juventus Stadium in Italy.

Benfica's Brazilian forward Lima (right) is brought down by Sevilla's defender Alberto Moreno inside the box on a tense night when both sides had penalty appeals turned down.

There are tears of joy as Sevilla goalkeeper Beto saves two penalty kicks to seal a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for the Spanish side.

HIDE CAPTION

Europa champions

Bacca on the attack

Famous fans

Ay-Garay

Penalty appeals

Tears of joy

<<

<

1

2

3

4

5

6

>

>>

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Sevilla defeat Benfica 4-2 on penalties to win the Europa League in Turin

The Spanish side join an elite group of teams to have lifted the European trophy three times

Benfica's European curse continues as the Portuguese club have now lost eight European finals

Spain will win all European trophies in 2014 as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contest Champions League

(CNN) -- Spain are an unstoppable force in European football.

Sevilla beat Benfica in a penalty shootout to win the Europa League Wednesday with La Liga rivals Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid guaranteed to claim the Champions League crown.

As an hors d'oeuvre to the mouthwatering final on 24 May, the Europa League provided plenty of drama.

Sevilla edged out their Portuguese rivals 4-2 on penalties after a tense 120 minutes of play at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

The Spanish side joined an elite group of teams to have lifted the European trophy three times following their UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007.